98 On the Genus Amathia of Lamouroux, 



The following is a translation of the remarks of Lamouroux 

 on his genus : — " Sertularia (Auctorum), Amathia lendigera 

 (Sertularia lendigera of Linne) is the only species of this 

 genus mentioned by authors. All have regarded it as a 

 Sertularia, although the figures given by Ellis, Cavolini, and 

 others, ought to have sufficed to separate this Polype from 

 the genus. The Amathias, by their numerous cells, by their 

 homy stem, which is fistulous and filled during life with an 

 irritable gelatinous substance, present the general characters 

 of all the Sertularia. They differ from the Polypi of the 

 order by their general fades, their ramification, the form of 

 the cellules, and their respective situation. In some species 

 the cellules are united into isolated groups, which resemble 

 Pandean pipes, with tubes of variable length. In others, 

 all the groups touch, but are easy to distinguish by the un- 

 equal length of their cells. Some present all their poly- 

 piferous chambers united by fcheir sides, and forming spiral 

 salient lines around the stems, to which they adhere by their 

 lower portions. Finally, there are some in which the lines 

 of cells are not projecting from the front, but are attached 

 to the stem by the posterior part of the cellules. Thus, 

 notwithstanding the difference which is observed between 

 A. lendigera and A. spiralis, it is impossible to erect 

 special genera for them, as there are intermediate species 

 which connect those which at first sight appear so very 

 distinct. 



" No specific character can be derived from the distance 

 by which the cells are separated from one another. In A. 

 lendigera,, so common in our seas, we find individuals in 

 which all the groups touch, and others when the same 

 groups are four or five millimetres apart. In the number 

 and the form of the cells of each group, in their situation, 

 ramification, &c, we find the characters by which the 

 species can be distinguished. The Amathias are of a horny 

 substance, which is only slightly calcareous. Their colour 

 is a more or less deep yellow brown or fawn colour. Their 

 size varies from 1 to 15 centimetres. They are often found 

 parasitic upon Thallasiophytes ; sometimes they adhere to 

 rocks and other solid marine objects by a fibrous attach- 

 ment. They appear more common in the temperate or 

 equatorial regions, than in the icy or cold regions of the 

 poles. They are not used for any pjurpose." 



Lamouroux goes on to describe the species, and I shall 

 give his diagnosis and synonomy in his own words : — 



